Sochua may yet be tipping point

By A. Gaffar Peang-Meth • July 28, 2010

Supporters of Cambodian premier Hun Sen wished lawmaker Mu Sochua had been arrested and sent to rot in jail. Sochua's supporters cheered her refusal to pay court-ordered fines and the regime's backtracking from arresting Sochua by the July 15 deadline. Read more ...

Union Workers Gather to Demand for Better Minimum Wage

ADHOC – CCHR – CLEC – LICADHO

Union Workers Gather to Demand for Better Minimum Wage
Media Statement
July 25, 2010

We, the undersigned organizations, would like to salute the courage and determination of union members from the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) and Cambodian National Confederation (CNC) who took part in a peaceful rally in front of the National Assembly on the morning of July 25, 2010, despite initial restrictions by Phnom Penh authorities.  Between 3,500 and 4,500 union members gathered to demand a minimum wage increase that would meet minimum standards of living.

We also welcome the late change of mind by the Phnom Penh police this morning to tolerate this peaceful assembly of workers.

However, we believe that the authorities never should have decided to ban this peaceful rally, as they did initially. On July 21, the Municipality explicitly forbade the gathering on the grounds that it would: i) affect public order, ii) threaten public safety, and iii) cause damage to public property. Two days later, the Ministry of Interior joined the Municipality in banning the gathering. These types of groundless excuses are often used to curb the freedom of assembly and expression of Cambodian citizens, which are enshrined in the Cambodian Constitution and therefore should be respected by the authorities.

“This ban by the Municipality and the Ministry of Interior arises in the general context of a worrying crackdown on freedom of expression”, says CCHR Executive Director Ou Virak. “Why is the Government preventing ordinary Cambodians from voicing important issues that directly affect their lives?”

Furthermore, we condemn the attempted restrictions on freedom of movement and assembly by police and military police officers. Hundreds of armed officers were deployed at the main entrances to Phnom Penh and at the designated rally sites. From 6:30AM to 8:45AM, police stopped cars, motorbikes and tuk tuks carrying workers, who were left to stand on the side of the street. After over an hour of negotiations with the authorities, the workers were finally allowed to walk to the rally.

“The actions by the authorities early this morning were meant to intimidate and threaten workers, so that they would not take part in this peaceful assembly”, says ADHOC Monitoring Coordinator Chan Soveth.

“This morning’s gathering was a clear message by workers that the current minimum wage is simply not acceptable”, says CLEC Executive Director Yeng Virak. “An independent study commissioned by CLEC showed that a minimum of US$75 per month is required for workers to meet minimum living standards.”

We call for the Cambodian government to:

-          Instruct all authorities to respect the rights of all Cambodians to assemble and express their opinions in a peaceful manner;

-          Swiftly create an truly open and transparent process in which the minimum wage is reviewed so that it meets minimum standards of living for all workers;

-          Ensure that no union members suffer negative repercussions – including intimidation, spurious legal charges and unjust dismissals - from having joined in leading this morning’s peaceful rally.

For more information, please contact:

-          CLEC Executive Director Yeng Virak, 012 801 235

-          ADHOC  Monitoring Coordinator Chan Soveth, 016 937 591

-          CCHR Executive Director Ou Virak, 012 404 051

-          LICADHO Monitoring Supervisor Am Sam Ath, 012 327 770

Political Correctness?

Source: KI
A Cambodian peasant who recently lost his land from forced eviction in Takeo is trying to protest against the CPP regime which rules Cambodia for the past several decades, therefore he throws leaflets, papers around in front of Samdach Hun Xen’s residence near the Monument of Independence in Phnom Penh. Several cops and secret agents immediately arrested him and questioned him, then they observed that there was nothing on the papers, they were all plain white.

The cops and secret agents asked him why the papers are white, then the peasant replies: "It's obvious anyway, why should I write it down?"

Political incorrectness?

Source: KI

A Cambodian peasant from a remote corner of Kampong Thom was transported to Phnom Penh to attend one of Samdach Hun Xen’s speeches to the public. Not knowing anything about the CPP or who Samdach Hun Xen is, he listens to the long speech.

The people shout: "Long live Samdach Hun Xen! Long live the CPP!"

Samdach Hun Xen says: "Next year, we'll live much better! Our development growth rate will be even higher!"

Then, the peasant jumps out of the crowd and angrily shouts: "Yeah, you, you stinkin' stupid brainless clown with a single twitching eye! But how about us?!"